Agathis robusta occurs in two locations, a southern population on Fraser Island and around Maryborough, and a northern population on the Atherton Tableland west of Cairns; the northern population was formerly distinguished as Agathis palmerstonii, but does not differ from the southern population and is no longer considered distinct.
It is a large evergreen tree growing straight and tall to a height of 30–50 m, with smooth, scaly bark. The leaves are 5–12 cm long and 2–5 cm broad, tough and leathery in texture, with no midrib; they are arranged in opposite pairs (rarely whorls of three) on the stem. The seed cones are globose, 8–13 cm diameter, and mature in 18–20 months after pollination; they disintegrate at maturity to release the seeds. The male (pollen) cones are cylindrical, 5–10 cm long and 1-1.5 cm thick.
This species is native to Australia — eastern Queensland. Its southern population can be found on Fraser Island and around Maryborough, and a northern population on the Atherton tableland west of Cairns. The northern population was formerly distinguished as Agathis palmerstonii, but according to studies done by Whitmore (1980), it does not differ from the southern population and is no longer considered distinct. Trees in Papua New Guinea previously referred to A. robusta are now treated as a distinct species Agathis spathulata (de Laubenfels 1988). Also found in Western Australia.
